Machine for sealing envelops.



,PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903. B. D. VOTAW.. MACHINE FOR SEALING ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

[NVENTOR had Mm No. 733,089. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 190a.

13.. D. VOTAW.

MACHINE FOR SEALING ENVELOPS'.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 16, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

[NVENTOR 7.17. I0 6am y Afforneys TTTTT ==.:s pzrzas co, ware-mum msHwm-m. n. c.

Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE- ERNEST D. VOTAWV, OF CAMBRIDGE CITY, INDIANA.

MACHINE FOR SEALING ENVELOPS.

:REIECIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 738,089, dated September 1, 1903.

Application filed January 16, 1903. Serial No. 139,328. (No model.)

1'0 (0M whom/ it nut/y concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNEST D. VOTAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge City, in the county of IVayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Sealin g Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides in a single organized machine means for moistening the gum applied to the sealing-flaps of envelops, folding mechanism for turning the sealing-flap, and provisions for sealing the flap, the several operations being automatic and effected in successive order, the several instrumentalities being combined in a novel manner for efficient and rapid action.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

lVhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a top plan view of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section about on the line IV IV of Fig. 1, showing the feed-rolls in elevation. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the end of the table bordering upon the throat, as seen from the bot tom side. Fig. 4 is an edge view of the parts shown in Fig. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the machine. Fig. (3 is a transverse section on the line X X of Fig. 1, showing the moistening and feed rolls in elevation. Fig. 7 is a cross-section about on the line YY of Fig. 1, showing different positions of the sealing-flap in the operation of folding the same. Fig. 8 is a detail section about on the line Z Z of Fig. 1.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The machine comprises a table or bed 1, upon which the envelops to be sealed are placed and travel from one end of the mathe water for wetting said gum.

' within certain limits.

chine to the other. The table or bed 1 is wider at its receiving end in orderto accommodate the envelop with the sealing-flap extended. The envelops are fed along the table by means of a series of rolls, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The gum applied to the sealing-flap of the envelop is moistened by the following means: A box 2 is located at the inner end of the widened portion 3 of the table and receives A roll at is mounted to rotate within the upper portion of the box 2,with its lower portion dipping into the water contained therein, and supplies the necessary moisture to the gum to effect sealing of the envelop in the operation of the machine. A roll 5 cooperates with the roll 45 and is located directly thereabove and serves to feed or advance the envelops upon the table. The roll 4. is essentially the moistening device, and the roll 5 an element of the feeding mechanism.

The folder for turning the sealing-flap of the envelop is located in the rear of the moistening mechanism and is preferably constructed of wire and is adjustably supported to adapt the machine for different sizes of envelops A post 6 is located at one side of the machine and the folder is adjustably connected therewith, the shank 7 passing through an opening of the post and being secured in an adjusted position by means of the clamp-screw S. The folder comprises an arm 9, overhanging an edge portion of the table, a compound curved portion 10, a longitudinally-curved part 11, a pendent part 12, and a longitudinal straight portion 13, terminating in the lateral shank 7. The wire fromwhich the folder is constructed is sufficiently stout to maintain its shape under all conditions and the fiexures are such as to effect a folding of the sealing-flap about as indicated in Fig. 7. A pair of feed-rolls 14 and 15 move the envelops by the folder. The roll 14: extends across the table and beyond the edge adjacent to the folder a distance to engage with the flap of the envelop. The roll 15 is short and cooperates with the extended end of the roll 1%.

Near the rear end of the table or bed is provided a throat 16, longitudinally curved and having its opposite walls beveled for the con venient and easy passage of the folded flap from a point below the table to a point above the same. As the end of the flap emerges from the throat 16 it passes between a pair of rolls 17 and 18, constituting the sealing mechanism, by means of which the flap is compressed and the sealing effected. The upper roll 17 is yieldingly mounted, so as to accoin modate itself to the bulk or thickness of the envelop passing between it and the roll 18.

Motion is imparted to the several rolls in any convenient way, and, as shown, a drivebelt 19 is employed and is initially driven by a motor of any type, the one illustrated being of the electric variety, as shown at 20, the current being controlled by an electric switch 21 of any make. The drive-belt 19 passes over the rolls 4, 15, and 18 and is deflected between said rolls by means of idlers 22. The lower run of the drive-belt extends horizontally beneath the rolls and is deflected near its rear end by means of an idler 23. The rolls 4, 15, and 18 are driven in the same direction and at the same rate of speed and cooperate to move the envelops from the receiving end of the table to the discharge or delivery end.

The envelops, after being filled and with their sealing-flaps extended, are placed upon the receiving end of the bed or table 1 and are moved so as to be caught by the roll 5 when they are automatically fed through the machine, being successivelymoistened, folded, and sealed in the manner stated. The final fold and compression necessary to complete the sealing operation is effected by means of the rolls 17 and 18, the same likewise serving to discharge the envelops from the machine when sealed. 7

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a machine for sealing envelops, a table provided with a curved throat having the walls of the throat beveled, substantially as set forth, and a folder for turning the sealin g-flaps of the envelops under the said table, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine for sealing the flaps of envelops, a table provided with a throat longitudinally curved and transversely beveled, a folder for turning the sealing-flaps of the envelops under said table, and sealing-rolls at the delivery end of the aforementioned throat for grasping the envelops and compressing the sealing-flap as it emerges from said throat, substantially as set forth.

3. A machine for sealing envelops comprising a table having a longitudinal throat near its delivery end, a moistening mechanism, a sealing mechanism, feed-rolls located at intervals in the length of the table, and a folder intermediate of the moistening and sealing mechanisms and com prising an arm overhanging an edge portion of the table, a compound curved portion, a longitudinally-curved part, a vertical portion, a longitudinal portion parallel with said table and a lateral shank, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST D. VOTAW. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

JAMES H. CLARK, JOHN A. WALTERS. 

